U.S. patent number 10,772,757 [Application Number 16/678,422] was granted by the patent office on 2020-09-15 for anti-snoring mouth guard.
The grantee listed for this patent is Chad Harris. Invention is credited to Chad Harris.
United States Patent |
10,772,757 |
Harris |
September 15, 2020 |
Anti-snoring mouth guard
Abstract
An anti-snoring mouth guard for insertion into a mouth of a user
for decreasing snoring and the effects of sleep apnea includes a
mouthpiece portion having a bottom wall and a pair of upstanding
side walls displaced and opposite one another and extending
upwardly from the bottom wall, said mouthpiece having a
hemispherical configuration that is complementary to a shape of the
user's teeth. Collectively, the bottom wall and pair of side walls
define a channel operable to receive teeth of a user's upper
pallet. The anti-snoring mouth guard includes tongue depressor
portion having a proximal end coupled to the mouthpiece and having
a body extending rearwardly at a generally downward angle. A brace
may extend between rear ends of the mouthpiece portion and define
levels by which the tongue depressor may be inserted such that the
tongue depressor may be adjusted vertically and front-to-back.
Inventors: |
Harris; Chad (Du Quoin,
IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harris; Chad |
Du Quoin |
IL |
US |
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Family
ID: |
1000004498023 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/678,422 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62862912 |
Jun 18, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
5/56 (20130101); A61F 5/566 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
5/56 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;128/848,860-862 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nelson; Keri J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ream; Dale J.
Parent Case Text
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority of provisional patent
application U.S. Ser. No. 62/862,912 filed Jun. 18, 2019 titled
Anti-Snoring Mouth Guard and which is incorporated in its entirety
herein by reference.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An anti-snoring mouth guard for insertion into a mouth of a
user, comprising: a mouthpiece portion having a bottom wall and a
pair of side walls opposite and parallel to one another and
extending upwardly from the bottom wall so as to define a channel
having a hemispherical configuration complementary to a shape of
the user's teeth; wherein said pair of side walls have are
continuous walls, respectively, and a pair of rear ends that are
terminal and that are open; a brace extending between said rear
ends of said mouthpiece portion; and a tongue depressor portion
having a proximal end coupled to said mouthpiece portion adjacent
said rear ends, said tongue depressor portion having a body coupled
to said proximal end and that extends rearwardly away from said
rear ends of said mouthpiece portion and at a downward angle;
wherein said tongue depressor portion includes a flange coupled to
and extending away from said proximal end, said flange defining a
plurality of flange openings; said brace defines a first slot and
defines a plurality of first apertures in communication with said
first slot; and said flange, when positioned in said first slot
such that said plurality of flange openings are aligned with said
plurality of first apertures, is coupled to said brace by a
fastener inserted through a selected one of said plurality of first
apertures and a selected one of said plurality of flange openings,
respectively; said brace defines a second slot vertically adjacent
to said first slot, said brace defining a plurality of second
apertures in communication with said second slot; and said flange,
when positioned in said second slot such that said plurality of
flange openings are aligned with said plurality of second
apertures, is coupled to said brace by said fastener inserted
through said selected one of said plurality of second apertures and
said selected one of said plurality of flange openings,
respectively.
2. The anti-snoring mouth guard as in claim 1, further comprising
means for moving said tongue depressor portion forwardly and
rearwardly relative to said mouthpiece portion.
3. The anti-snoring mouth guard as in claim 2, further comprising
means for moving said tongue depressor portion vertically relative
to said mouthpiece portion.
4. The anti-snoring mouth guard as in claim 1, wherein: said brace
defines a third slot vertically adjacent to said second slot, said
brace defining a plurality of third apertures in communication with
said third slot; and said flange, when positioned in said third
slot such that said plurality of flange openings are aligned with
said plurality of third apertures, is coupled to said brace by said
fastener inserted through a selected one of said plurality of third
apertures and said selected one of said plurality of flange
openings, respectively.
5. The anti-snoring mouth guard as in claim 4, wherein: said flange
includes a pair of flanges that are laterally spaced apart and
adjacent one another; said first slot includes a pair of first
slots that are laterally spaced apart and adjacent one another and
configured to receive said pair of flanges, respectively; said
second slot includes a pair of second slots that are laterally
spaced apart and adjacent one another and configured to receive
said pair of flanges, respectively; and said third slot includes a
pair of third slots that are laterally spaced apart and adjacent
one another and configured to receive said pair of flanges,
respectively.
6. The anti-snoring mouth guard as in claim 4, wherein said
fastener is a dental screw.
7. An anti-snoring mouth guard for insertion into a mouth of a
user, comprising: a mouthpiece portion having a bottom wall and a
pair of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall so as to
define a channel having a hemispherical configuration complementary
to a shape of an upper pallet of the user's teeth; wherein said
pair of side walls include an outer wall and an inner wall
extending parallel to said outer wall, said pair of side walls
terminating at rear ends of said mouthpiece, respectively, said
rear ends being displaced from one another and having open
configurations; a brace extending between said rear ends of said
mouthpiece portion; a tongue depressor portion having a proximal
end coupled to said mouthpiece portion adjacent said rear ends,
said tongue depressor portion having a body coupled to said
proximal end and that extends rearwardly away from said rear ends
of said mouthpiece portion and at a predetermined angle to said
mouthpiece portion; wherein said tongue depressor portion includes
a flange coupled to and extending away from said proximal end, said
flange defining a plurality of flange openings; wherein: said brace
defines a first slot and defines a plurality of first apertures in
communication with said first slot; and said flange, when
positioned in said first slot such that said plurality of flange
openings are aligned with said plurality of first apertures, is
coupled to said brace by a fastener inserted through a selected one
of said plurality of first apertures and a selected one of said
plurality of flange openings, respectively; said brace defines a
second slot vertically adjacent to said first slot, said brace
defining a plurality of second apertures in communication with said
second slot; and said flange, when positioned in said second slot
such that said plurality of flange openings are aligned with said
plurality of second apertures, is coupled to said brace by said
fastener inserted through said selected one of said plurality of
second apertures and said selected one of said plurality of flange
openings, respectively.
8. The anti-snoring mouth guard as in claim 7, wherein: said brace
defines a third slot vertically adjacent to said second slot, said
brace defining a plurality of third apertures in communication with
said third slot; and said flange, when positioned in said third
slot such that said plurality of flange openings are aligned with
said plurality of third apertures, is coupled to said brace by said
fastener inserted through a selected one of said plurality of third
apertures and said selected one of said plurality of flange
openings, respectively.
9. The anti-snoring mouth guard as in claim 8, wherein: said flange
includes a pair of flanges that are laterally spaced apart and
adjacent one another; said first slot includes a pair of first
slots that are laterally spaced apart and adjacent one another and
configured to receive said pair of flanges, respectively; said
second slot includes a pair of second slots that are laterally
spaced apart and adjacent one another and configured to receive
said pair of flanges, respectively; and said third slot includes a
pair of third slots that are laterally spaced apart and adjacent
one another and configured to receive said pair of flanges,
respectively.
10. The anti-snoring mouth guard as in claim 7, wherein said
fastener is a dental screw.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to anti-snoring devices and, more
particularly, to a mouthpiece for insertion into a person's mouth
having a tongue depressor that suppresses or prevents the person's
tongue from impeding his airway and, as a result, reducing or
eliminating snoring and obstructive apnea.
Snoring is often perceived merely as "noisy breathing" when
sleeping. Snoring happens when you can't move air freely through
your nose and throat during sleep. However, snoring may actually be
much more of a health concern, such as heart disease or another
breathing dysfunction. About one-half of people who snore loudly
have obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious
sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
Persons with sleep apnea often wear a CPAP mask for years to
prevent the negative effects of sleep apnea, including possible
death. Prevention of obstructive snoring, then, is of prime
interest to persons with dangerous snoring and sleep apnea.
Various devices have been proposed for decreasing or preventing
snoring. Although presumably effective for their intended purposes,
there is still a need for a lightweight and simple solution for
preventing a person's tongue from obstructing the person's airway
and allowing snoring to occur.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a mouth guard for
insertion into a mouth of a user for decreasing snoring and the
effects of sleep apnea. Further, it would be desirable to have a
mouth guard for insertion into a mouth of a snorer having a tongue
depressor portion that is adjustable vertically, longitudinally,
and angularly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An anti-snoring mouth guard for insertion into a mouth of a user
for decreasing snoring and the effects of sleep apnea according to
the present invention includes a mouthpiece portion having a bottom
wall and a pair of upstanding side walls displaced and opposite one
another and extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the mouthpiece
having a hemispherical configuration that is complementary to a
shape of the user's teeth. Collectively, the bottom wall and pair
of side walls define a channel operable to receive teeth of a
user's upper pallet. The anti-snoring mouth guard includes a
proximal end coupled to the mouthpiece and having a body extending
rearwardly at a generally downward angle. The tongue depressor
portion may include adjustment structures so as to adjustable
vertically, front-to-back, presumably by a dentist or dental
technician.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a mouth
guard receivable on the upper pallet of a user's teeth and operable
to hold a user's tongue so as to decrease snoring and the affects
of sleep apnea.
Another object of this invention is to provide a mouth guard, as
aforesaid, in which a tongue depressor portion is vertically
adjustable relative to the mouthpiece portion.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a mouth guard,
as aforesaid, in which a tongue depressor portion is longitudinally
(frontwardly and rearwardly) adjustable relative to the mouthpiece
portion.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a mouth guard,
as aforesaid, that can inhibit or stop snoring with a mouthpiece
for only the upper pallet of a person's mouth.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of
illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an anti-snoring mouth guard
according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in
an inverted configuration for clarity;
FIG. 1b is another perspective view of the anti-snoring mouth guard
as in FIG. 1a, illustrated with the tongue depressor portion in
another front-back setting;
FIG. 2a is a side view of the anti-snoring mouth guard as in FIG.
1a;
FIG. 2b is a rear view of the anti-snoring mouth guard as in FIG.
1a;
FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the anti-snoring mouth guard as in
FIG. 1a in a face up configuration and illustrating another height
level configuration;
FIG. 3b is an exploded view of the anti-snoring mouth guard as in
FIG. 3a;
FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the anti-snoring mouth guard
according to the present invention illustrating a variation on the
vertical and front-rear movement structure;
FIG. 4b is an exploded view of the anti-snoring mouth guard as in
FIG. 4a;
FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an anti-snoring mouth guard
according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrated
with the tongue depressor portion in one angled configuration;
FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the anti-snoring mouth guard as in
a modified angled configuration;
FIG. 6a is an exploded view of the anti-snoring mouth guard as in
FIG. 5a; and
FIG. 6b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG.
6a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An anti-snoring mouth guard according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.
1a to 6b of the accompanying drawings. The anti-snoring mouth guard
10 may include a mouthpiece portion 20 and tongue depressor portion
30 coupled to the mouthpiece.
With regard to FIG. 1a to 3b, the mouthpiece portion 20 of the
anti-snoring mouth guard 10 may include a bottom wall 22 and a pair
of upstanding side walls, referred to generally with reference
numeral 24 and specifically as a pair of side walls 24a and 24b,
extending upwardly from the bottom wall 22. The side walls 24 are
displaced from one another and are parallel to one another.
Collectively, the bottom wall 22 and pair of side walls 24a, 24b
define an interior area, such as a channel or trough operable to
selectively receive the teeth of a person's upper pallet. In other
words, the mouthpiece portion 20 has a generally hemispherical
configuration complementary to a user's upper teeth and can be
inserted comfortably into a user's mouth, such as at night. It is
understood that the side walls 24 include an inner side wall 24a
and an outer side wall 24b, each having interior surfaces facing
one another that may be contoured or define recesses operable to
receive associated teeth in nested relationships, respectively. The
front or apex of the mouthpiece portion 20 may be referred to as a
front section 28. By contrast, the pair of side walls 24a, 24b
extends away from the apex rearwardly to terminal ends,
respectively, and which will be referred to as rear ends 29 of the
mouthpiece 20. As shown, the rear ends 29 have an open
configuration as the exact number and size of a patient's teeth
will not be known at a point of manufacturing.
The mouthpiece portion 20 includes a support brace 26 adjacent at
least one rear end 29 of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the
support brace 26 may be positioned along an inner surface of the
inner side wall 24a of the pair of side walls 24a, 24b and will be
discussed in more detail later. Preferably, however, the support
brace 26 extends between respective rear ends 29 of the pair of
side walls (or, more particularly, from rear ends of the inner side
wall 24) and may be referred to as a bridge--also using reference
numeral 26'.
Further, the tongue depressor portion 30 of the anti-snoring tongue
guard 10 includes a proximal end 32 coupled to the bridge 26 of the
mouthpiece portion 20 and includes a body 34 extending from the
proximal end 32. Preferably, the proximal end 32 is coupled to the
mouthpiece side of the bridge 26 and the body 34 curves around
(i.e. under) the bridge 26 such that the proximal end and body may
have a generally U-shaped configuration. The proximal end 32 of the
body 34 of the tongue depressor portion 30 may have a width that is
the same or complementary to the distance between interior surfaces
of respective interior side walls of the mouthpiece. In other
words, the proximal end 32 of the tongue depressor portion 30 may
extend completely between peripheral walls of the mouthpiece
portion 20. The body 34 of the tongue depressor portion 30 extends
rearwardly from the proximal end 32 at a generally downward angle
so as to bear against a user's tongue when the mouthpiece portion
20' is inserted into the user's mouth. The tongue depressor portion
30 may include a distal end 36 opposite the proximal end 32 and
extending away from the body 34.
In another aspect, the tongue depressor portion 30 may be movable
front-to-rear (longitudinally) and also upwardly-downwardly (e.g.
vertically) relative to the mouthpiece portion 20, as will be
described below and is illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 3b In general,
the bridge 26 may define one or more slots and the proximal end 32
of the tongue depressor portion may include one or more flanges 38
configured for insertion into respective slots, each of the slots
and flanges having a plurality of flange openings and apertures
adjacent one another and arranged in a longitudinal pattern,
respective slot and flange combinations being in registration or
alignment with one another. More particularly, the bridge 26 may
define a first slot 40 (also referred to as an upper slot), the
bridge also defining a plurality of apertures (i.e. first apertures
41) in communication with the first slot 40. In the illustrations,
three apertures are illustrated although more or fewer apertures
are contemplated) adjacent one another in a longitudinally (front
to back) extending line. Similarly, the bridge 26 may define a
second slot 42 vertically adjacent to but separated from the first
slot 40, the bridge also defining a plurality of apertures (i.e.
second apertures 43) in communication with the second slot 42.
Further, the bridge 26 may define a third slot 44 vertically
adjacent to but separated from the second slot 42, the bridge also
defining a plurality of apertures (i.e. third apertures 45) in
communication with the third slot 44. In other words, the bridge 26
may define at least three vertical levels of slots and each slot is
in communication with multiple apertures arranged longitudinally
front-to-back relative to the mouthpiece portion 20.
Further to the construction described immediately above, at least
one flange 38 is coupled to and extends away from the proximal end
32 of the tongue depressor portion 30. The flange 38 may have a
planar configuration complementary to a planar configuration of a
respective slot. In this embodiment, the flange 38 extends
rearwardly from the proximal end 32 (FIG. 1b). The flange 38
defines a plurality of flange openings 39 corresponding to the
plurality of apertures of each slot level, respectively. As will be
described below, selected apertures and flange openings may be
aligned so that the flange 38 and mouthpiece portion 20 may be
coupled together with a fastener 46 inserted through a selected
aperture and flange opening. It will be understood and as shown in
the drawings, each slot may include a left slot and a right slot;
similarly, the flange 38 may include a left flange and a right
flange so as to enhance the strength and alignment of the tongue
depressor portion 30. The left and right flanges may be referred to
as a pair of flanges. The left and right slot may be referred to as
a pair of left slots or right slots, respectively.
As described, the bridge 26 may appear to be a three-level or three
tiered shelf system into which a flange 38 may be inserted and
coupled so as to vertically adjust a position of the tongue
depressor portion 30. To adjust the tongue depressor portion 30
vertically, the flange (or flanges) are inserted into the first
slot 40, the second slot 42, or the third slot 44. The slots may
also be described as upper, middle, and lower slots. Then, to
adjust the tongue depressor portion 30 forwardly or rearwardly
within a selected level, the entire tongue depressor portion 30 is
moved forwardly or rearwardly until the desired apertures and
openings are aligned. Then, the respective flange 38 and bridge 26
are coupled together by inserting one or more fasteners 46 (e.g.
dental screws) through aligned apertures and openings. It will be
understood that the precise configuration and adjustment of the
anti-snoring mouth guard 10 may be determined and assembled by a
dentist or dental technician, such as during a dental visit and the
determined specification may then be outsourced to a lab or
manufacturer to generate the anti-snoring mouth guard for a patient
in a manner similar to eyeglass lenses.
As an alternative to the support brace 26 extending entirely
between rear ends 29 of the pair of side walls, the support brace
26 may include truncated end portions 26a defining a plurality of
apertures 26c respectively (FIGS. 4a and 4b). Similarly, a body 26b
of the support brace 26 (or bridge) includes a pair of opposed ends
26d each having a plurality of prongs 26e extending away therefrom
and arranged in one or more rows. Accordingly, a user, such as a
dentist, is able to align selected apertures and prongs of the
support brace 26 to adjust the position of the tongue depressor
portion 30 vertically and longitudinally (front to back) relative
to the mouthpiece portion 20. In an embodiment, respective prongs
and apertures may be held in a selected position in a friction fits
configuration, with dental cement, with a fastener, or the
like.
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 5a to 6b, is substantially similar in its
construction to the embodiment first described except as
specifically noted, and primed reference numerals will be used for
substantially similar structures as those described previously.
With regard to FIG. 5a to 5b, the mouthpiece portion 20' of the
anti-snoring mouth guard 10' may include a bottom wall 22' and a
pair of upstanding side walls 24' extending upwardly from the
bottom wall 22'. The side walls 24' are displaced from one another
and are parallel to one another. Collectively, the bottom wall 22'
and pair of side walls 24' define an interior area, such as a
channel or trough operable to selectively receive the teeth of a
person's upper pallet. In other words, the mouthpiece portion 20'
has a generally hemispherical configuration complementary to a
user's upper teeth and can be inserted comfortably into a user's
mouth, such as at night. It is understood that the side walls 24'
include an inner side wall and an outer side wall 24b', each having
interior surfaces facing one another that may be contoured or
define recesses operable to receive associated teeth in nested
relationships, respectively. The front or apex of the mouthpiece
portion 20' may be referred to as a front section 28'. By contrast,
the pair of side walls 24' extends away from the apex rearwardly to
terminal ends, respectively, and which will be referred to as rear
ends 29' of the mouthpiece 20'. As shown, the rear ends 29' have an
open configuration as the exact number and size of a patient's
teeth will not be known at a point of manufacturing.
The mouthpiece portion 20' includes a support brace 26' adjacent at
least one rear end 29' of the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, the
support brace 26' may be positioned along an inner surface of the
inner side wall 25' of the pair of side walls and will be discussed
in more detail later. Preferably, however, the support brace 26'
extends between respective rear ends 29' of the pair of side walls
(or, more particularly, from rear ends of the inner side wall 24')
and may be referred to as a bridge--also using reference numeral
26'.
Further, the tongue depressor portion 30' of the anti-snoring
tongue guard 10' includes a proximal end 32' coupled to the bridge
26' of the mouthpiece portion 20' and includes a body 34' extending
from the proximal end 32'. Preferably, the proximal end 32' is
coupled to the mouthpiece side of the bridge 26' and the body 34'
curves around (i.e. under) the bridge 26' such that the proximal
end and body may have a generally U-shaped configuration. The
proximal end 32' of the body 34' of the tongue depressor portion
30' may have a width that is the same or complementary to the
distance between interior surfaces of respective interior side
walls of the mouthpiece. In other words, the proximal end 34' of
the tongue depressor portion 30' may extend completely between
peripheral walls of the mouthpiece portion 20'. The body 34' of the
tongue depressor portion 30' extends rearwardly from the proximal
end 32' at a generally downward angle so as to bear against a
user's tongue when the mouthpiece portion 20' is inserted into the
user's mouth. The tongue depressor portion 30' may include a distal
end 36' opposite the proximal end 32' and extending away from the
body 34'.
It is also contemplated that the tongue depressor portion 30 may be
adjusted angularly via an angle adjustment assembly. In an
embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a to 6b, the tongue depressor portion
30' may be hingedly or pivotally coupled to the mouthpiece portion
20'. More particularly, the forward end 32' of the tongue depressor
portion 30' may be pivotally coupled to the body 34' and may be
operably configured to enable a user to adjust and determine the
angle the distal member 36' extends downwardly against the tongue.
The tongue depressor portion 30' and mouthpiece portion 20' may
include an adjustment assembly having structure enabling selective
angling of the tongue depressor portion 30'. In an embodiment, the
adjustment assembly may include a nub and a plurality of recesses
(FIG. 6b) or other selectable position construction. Specifically,
the support member 26' may include a truncated section or cutout
section having a pair of inward and opposite facing walls (referred
as inward walls 58) each defining a pair of pivot sockets 50 and
having a locking nub 52. Each pivot socket 50 may extend inwardly
and each locking nub 52 may extend outwardly. Then, in
complementary fashion, opposed sides of the forward end 32' of the
tongue depressor portion 30' may include a pivot boss 54
dimensioned for receipt by a respective pivot socket 50 and may
include a plurality of position locking recesses 56 adjacent the a
respective pivot socket and dimensioned and operable to selectively
mate with a respective locking nub 52. It is understood that the
recesses are not deep but rather adjustments are made by a user
overcoming a mild friction fit therebetween. It is also understood
that which of the adjustment components are inwardly shaped or
outwardly shaped can be reversed in another embodiment and still be
included in the spirit of the present disclosure. In use, a
respective pivot socket 50 receives a respective pivot boss 54 and
a user is able to pivot the tongue depressor portion 30 to a
selected and desired angle where the locking nub 52 may be received
(and removably locked) into a selected position locking recess 46.
In other words, the user is able to select how much or how little
pressure is put on his tongue while sleeping.
Although a mouthpiece portion only involving receiving the upper
teeth of a user's mouth is preferred, a mouthpiece portion designed
to receive both upper and lower teeth is within the spirit of the
present disclosure.
In use, a person may be fitted for a custom-built mouth guard by
his or her dentist or technician. Preferably, the mouthpiece
portion 20 is formed according to a scan or mold taken of the
user's upper pallet of teeth. Then, the tongue depressor portion 30
may be adjusted according to the size and shape of the patient's
tongue and mouth cavity, the elevation, forward, and rearward
position being adjustable as described above.
Accordingly, a person simply inserts the mouth guard 10 into his
mouth at bedtime and snoring is reduced. No longer is a CPAP
machine needed as the mouth guard 10 prevents the user's tongue
from rearward movement that closes the airway and causes
snoring.
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have
been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except
insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims
and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
* * * * *